Countryside

Fairly spectacular waterfall with a 65 foot drop set amongst what was once fairly cultivated parkland. A pleasant (though relatively steep) walk to the top of the falls from a car park (free to NT members). There's a network of trails nearby and some lovely views.

Get there via Kirkstone Pass on the A592 from either Windermere or Ambleside - Aira Force is a bit past Glenridding. Or from the A66 between Penrith and Keswick, take the A5091 through Dockray.

Ashdown Forest is a 65,000 acre area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 30-or-so miles south of London, near East Grinstead. It was a hunting forest in medieval times but is now largely accessible to the public, with a myriad of walks, open spaces and wonderful views. Though it does contain woodland, most of it is actually heathland, a rare and protected habitat. Its most famous resident was Winnie-the-Pooh.

Beachy Head is a famous chalk headland and landmark, immediately to the west of the town of Eastbourne. There are fine views and walks along the cliffs, approx 500 feet above sea level. There is parking nearby and at Birling Gap further along the coast. Beachy Head has an interesting history and was used as a listening and lookout post during WW2. The cliffs are, however, extremely dangerous and the area has a high death-rate, through a combination of foolish accident and, unfortunately, suicide. Beachy Head lighthouse began operating in 1902.

The Brecon Beacons in south-mid Wales is predominantly a mountainous area, famed for its use by Britain's elite forces for training, as well as for its peaks, waterfalls, forests and heritage sites. This is serious walking and climbing country.

Weird and wonderful rock formations formed by erosion millions of years ago. Very popular with walkers, climbers and families, so can get crowded. Good place for a picnic and there are also facilities on site. Walk or cycle there, or pay and NT parking nearby.

The Broads covers an area of 117 square miles of East Anglia, where there is a network of navigable waterways and rivers, which meander through low countryside and past picturesque villages. It is a place for leisure boating and wildlife watching, particularly birds and invertebrates. The 'broads' themselves are formed from old flooded peat workings.

Brownsea Island (aka 'Branksea') is the largest island in Poole Harbour (about 1 mile x 1/2 mile) and is primarily a wildlife area of woodland, heath and wetland, home to red squirrels and a variety birds. There are trails and events, including open air theatre and an annual round the island swim. Brownsea was chosen by Baden-Powell to try out his scouting ideas and is also said to have inspired Enid Blyton. Brownsea Castle, originally 16th century, is currently (August 2016) leased to the John Lewis Partnership as a staff hotel and not open to the public. Access to the island is by ferry from Poole.

Named for the mountain Cairn Gorm, the Cairngorm National Park in North East Scotland is Britain’s largest - twice as big as the Lake District - and most remote. Though famed for its mountains, it is actually a diverse area of area of 1748 square miles which includes castles, distilleries and a whole lot more - as well as being home to some of Britain's rarest animals. And it is one of the few places in the UK that offers skiing on real snow.

A stone marks the spot claimed to be the centre of Scotland. It is on the Glen Truim road, part of the 250 mile network of military roads built for the Government by General Wade after the Jacobite rising of 1715. This section was built in 1719 and is a section of the road between Fort Augustus and Ruthven Barracks at Kingussie. The stone replaces an earlier marker and was unveiled on 5th June 2015.

Dartmoor is an upland area of granite heather-covered moorland, famous for its tors (classic examples of exposed intrusive vulcanicity), ponies and the enormous number of prehistoric remains scattered about its sometimes mysterious landscape. It is prime walking and camping country. Parts of it are used by the armed forces for training.